Hillsong UNITED - I Draw Near To You Lyrics
Lyrics
I draw near to You
You draw near to me
You're calling me on
To a higher place
As children run
To their Father's voice
You give me open ears
To hear You call
That I may live
By Your word
To be all I'm called to be
I call on Your name
I need You my God
That I may live
By Your word
Wholly devoted to You
I call on Your name
I need You my God
I draw near to You
You draw near to me
Let me hear You speak
To me Lord
Video
Darlene Zschech Hillsong I draw near to You w lyrics
Meaning & Inspiration
"I Draw Near To You," attributed to Darlene Zschech and Hillsong, made its debut with lyrics on January 9, 2013, presenting itself not merely as a song but as a profound spiritual declaration. From its very release, it invited believers into a space of intimate communion, reflecting the foundational essence of worship that Hillsong has long championed. The piece immediately resonated as a tender, yet powerful, expression of the soul's yearning for God, and God's unwavering pursuit of humanity.
At its core, the song unfolds the beautiful, reciprocal dynamic of seeking and being sought by the divine. The opening lines, "I draw near to You, You draw near to me," encapsulate the essence of James 4:8, which promises that when we approach God, He will indeed draw close to us. This isn't a passive waiting, but an active, mutual engagement. The song then portrays God as actively "calling me on to a higher place," illustrating a journey of spiritual growth and sanctification, echoing the consistent biblical theme of transformation from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). This journey is undertaken with the trusting abandon of "children run[ning] to their Father’s voice," a powerful image of dependence and love, reminiscent of the secure relationship described in Psalm 103:13, where God pities those who revere Him as a father pities his children. Crucially, the capacity to respond to this divine summons is acknowledged as a gift: "You give me open ears to hear You call," highlighting that spiritual discernment is an act of grace, as prophesied in Isaiah 50:4 and affirmed by Christ in John 10:27, where His sheep hear His voice.
The song then shifts from the act of drawing near to the practical outworking of that intimacy in daily life. The petition, "That I may live by Your word, to be all I’m called to be," forms the anchor of the first bridge. Living by God’s word is a directive found throughout Scripture, most famously in Matthew 4:4 and Psalm 119:105, which declares His word a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. This isn't just about intellectual assent, but about embodying divine truth as the very substance of life, guiding every step and decision. The desire "to be all I’m called to be" speaks to the deep longing for purpose and fulfillment, aligning with God's pre-ordained plans for our lives, as revealed in Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10. This aspiration is coupled with an earnest confession of dependence: "I call on Your name, I need You my God." This cry is a timeless echo of countless biblical figures and psalmists who found their strength and deliverance in God’s name, knowing that He is a refuge and a present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
The second bridge builds upon this foundation, elevating the commitment to an even deeper level of surrender: "That I may live by Your word, wholly devoted to You." This phrase captures the heart of the Great Commandment to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5). "Wholly devoted" transcends mere obedience; it signifies an undivided loyalty, a complete setting apart of oneself for God's purposes, echoing the call to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). In a world of distractions and competing allegiances, this declaration is a powerful stance for singular focus and unwavering allegiance, rejecting any divided heart (Hosea 10:2). The repeated plea, "I call on Your name, I need You my God," reinforces the constant, fundamental reliance on the Creator for every breath and every step, acknowledging that true devotion springs from an awareness of profound need. The song then gently returns to its opening motif, "I draw near to You, You draw near to me," before culminating in the simple yet profound prayer, "Let me hear You speak to me Lord." This final line underscores the continuous desire for divine communication, a yearning for ongoing guidance and intimacy, affirming that the journey of faith is an unending conversation, a constant seeking of the Father's voice, and a deep assurance that He desires to be heard. The enduring message of this song is a potent reminder of God's accessibility, His desire for relationship, and the transformative power of wholehearted commitment to His word.